The Enterprise Europe Network announces:
August 7, 2026
The European Commission and the SpaceRISE consortium have signed an agreement to accelerate the deployment of the European IRIS² satellite network . This will enable the constellation to become operational earlier than planned and strengthen Europe’s digital sovereignty and resilience to crises.
Under the agreement, IRIS² will be expanded by 66 additional satellites in low Earth orbit . The main constellation will thus grow to a total of 348 satellites —including 330 satellites in low Earth orbit and 18 satellites in medium Earth orbit.The additional satellites are intended to increase the system’s resilience and, in particular, strengthen capabilities for defense, security, and emergency services. According to the Commission, this will increase secure government capacity by 60 percent within the EU and by 54 percent worldwide.
Implementation by 2029
The next steps include finalizing the detailed constellation design, building the satellites, procuring launch services, and developing secure ground infrastructure. The first deployments are scheduled to take place by 2029; followed by the gradual rollout of operational connectivity services.
Once fully deployed, IRIS² is intended to provide authorized government users in all EU member states, as well as in the participating countries Norway and Iceland, with sovereign, secure, and reliable communications. Among other things, the network is intended to support governments, defense and security forces, and emergency services during critical operations, in disaster response, and in the protection of critical infrastructure.
European Industry Involved
IRIS² is being implemented as part of a public-private partnership. The SpaceRISE consortium—comprising SES, EUTELSAT, and HISPASAT—is collaborating with European industry partners such as Airbus Defence and Space, Thales Alenia Space, OHB, and Aerospacelab. In addition, the program aims to create opportunities for startups as well as small and medium-sized enterprises in the European space supply chain.
Read the full press release
IRIS² - Secure Connectivity Program
IRIS² Secure Connectivity Program Fact Sheet
Source: European Commission
